Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) of mule deer, rocky mountain elk, and white-tailed deer causes fatal damage to the central nervous system. A study of New Jersey deer harvested in the 1997-98 deer seasons found no evidence of the disease. Another survey of hunter-killed deer from the 2002-03 season found that CWD is still not found in New Jersey Wild Deer. Since there is concern among hunters and others about the disease spreading to New Jersey, this document about CWD has been prepared by the Division's Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics.